I'm so sorry it took me so long, but the hospital scenes aren't as easy to write for me. And because I happen to be in the situation with my other story, things aren't coming to me as easily with that one either.

Each scene of Neal being held by Keller after Neal was rescued is a dream. I'm sure most of you already knew that, but I just wanted to clarify that.

This chapter is not beta'd either so all mistakes are mine.

"I used to play baseball when I was a kid," Keller said conversationally as he did some practice swings with the baseball bat in his hands. "I was pretty good, had a real mean swing too, but I got kicked out of Little League when I got into a fight with the pitcher on our team."

That wasn't surprising - Keller always had a temper. Back when they were working together him and Keller got in a few arguments that Neal had feared would lead to a physical altercation - with Keller being the one to initiate it of course. Fortunately, Neal had always seen them coming and walked away so Keller could cool down before he did something they'd both regret.

There was no walking away now.

After a few more practice swings, Keller walked up to Neal's side. Neal pinched his eyes shut and tried to prepare for the impact.

WCWCWCWC

Peter opened the door to Neal's room to see the young man lying on the bed, appearing to be asleep. But when Peter approached, his eyes shot open and he flinched back. Peter was afraid that he would freak out again, but after a tense moment, Neal sighed in relief and relaxed.

"You ok?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. You just startled me," Neal said and wiped a hand across his face, his eyes suspiciously shiny.

"Sorry," Peter said and Neal nodded.

"Well?" Neal asked after a moment.

"Hmm?" Peter asked.

"Did you get Keller transferred?" Neal asked. He looked so hopeful, and desperate for the right answer.

"No. He's a flight risk right now, so they're not moving him," Peter said, but now he wished he just evaded the question like Neal always does.

Neal turned white and looked at Peter like he just betrayed him, which, in his mind, he did. He looked like he was about to start crying, and Peter really didn't want that to happen, so he let Neal get it together.

Neal looked away for a minute, carefully raked his fingers through his hair, then looked at Peter again. He looked a little more put together, but he also looked heartbroken.

"Neal," Peter started, but was cut off by Neal.

"I have to go to solitary, or be moved to another prison. I know others may not be as secure, but I can't be out in the open for him to get me. I won't survive," Neal pleaded, his voice breaking at the last word. He looked so desperate for Peter to listen.

Peter was shocked. Neal actually believed he was going to jail. He half hoped Mozzie had misunderstood, or was even lying. He had to set this straight.

Peter put his hand up to silence Neal. "Neal, stop," he said and Neal stopped talking and looked up at Peter with water filled eyes.

"Neal, you're not going to jail," Peter said.

Neal didn't look as excited as Peter thought he would. He actually looked more upset. "Peter, I know you're disappointed in me, but now you're just being cruel," he said sadly.

Peter leaned in close and looked Neal directly in the eyes. "You're not going to jail, Neal," he said, much slower this time.

Neal searched Peter's face, probably for some sort of tell. "I'm not going to jail?" he asked skeptically, like he couldn't believe it, like he thought it was still a sick joke.

Peter shook his head. "No, no prison for you."

Neal let out an almost hysterical laugh and started smiling. But his smile quickly faltered. "Wait, what about the treasure?" He asked.

"I have no proof that you have it, or that is still exists," Peter said.

"What about Keller?" Neal asked.

"I have no idea why he thought it still existed, or how he even knew about it, but there's no proof," Peter answered.

Neal seemed to finally accept what Peter was telling him. He smiled again and looked the happiest he's been since he was rescued.

"Did you really think that I was going to put you in the same prison as him?" Peter asked, confusion evident in his voice.

"You were so disappointed in me. I thought... I don't know," Neal said. "It didn't really make sense to me, but you really didn't seem to care."

"I'm not disappointed in you, Neal. And I do care. I would never put you in the same prison as him, no matter what you did," Peter said sincerely.

Neal still looked unsure about what Peter said, but nodded anyway. A tear fell down his face and he hastily wiped it away while Peter pretended not to see.

A silence fell over the duo as they got lost in they're own thoughts, only interrupted by the door opening. Peter was about to turn to see who it was, but Neal tensed and a fearful look came across his face. Peter was confused and even more so when he saw it was just the doctor, but then remembered his reaction from seeing the nurse come in - He's afraid of who would come through the door.

"It's the doctor, Neal," Peter said quietly.

Neal looked up at Peter and the terrified expression slowly fell away and was replaced with one of embarrassment.

"Mr. Caffery, it's good to see you're awake," the doctor said, not seeming to notice his fear.

"Good to be awake," Neal said happily, like he wasn't just terrified of the man moments ago.

Apparently Neal was going to pretend he wasn't afraid of someone walking through the door, so Peter played along. "You here to discharge Neal?" He asked.

"Yes, you're free to go," he said. "I just have to get your John Hancock and you'll be good to go."

Neal looked relieved to be able to leave. He was probably a lot happier to do so now that he wasn't going to prison. He pulled the blanket that was covering himself and carefully swung his legs over the of the bed, revealing his abnormally bare ankle, reminding Peter of the anklet.

Peter really didn't want to bring it up, but it wasn't something he could push off any longer. "Neal, I'm sorry but we can't leave until you get your anklet back on," he said regretfully. He carefully watched Neal's reaction. Surprisingly, fear was not the first emotion to come across Neal's face, it was surprise, then something that looked like happiness. Neal wanted his anklet back on?

"Well, it's better than leg irons," Neal said. Peter nodded in agreement. "Where's the anklet then?"

"On its way," Peter said. Just then there was a knock on the the door. Neal stiffened again and not so subtlety leaned towards Peter.

Peter put a hand on Neal's shoulder to try and comfort him. He could feel him tense even more, then relax at the touch, much like he did back at the factory.

Being as he was the closest, the doctor opened the door to reveal two men in suits.

"US Marshals. We're here for Neal Caffery," the older one said, flashing his badge.

Did he really have to word it like that? It made it sound like they were taking Neal to prison or something. Neal must have thought the same thing because he gripped Peter's pant leg. Peter looked at Neal to try to reassure him, but he was staring at the Marshals and didn't look like he was planning on looking away any time soon.

Peter decided to get them out of there as quickly as possible. With a hopefully comforting pat on the shoulder, Peter moved away from Neal and approached the two men.

"Yes. I'm his handler. I'll take care of the anklet," he said.

The two men didn't seem to want to be there anyway, so they happily gave the anklet over to Peter and left.

Peter turned to Neal and brandished the anklet.

"She's back," Neal said.

Peter approached and knelt down. He looked up to Neal. "Are you ready for this?" He asked softly, seriously. He didn't want to do this at all, but wanted to make sure Neal was ok with it.

Neal nodded. "Yeah."

The manacle didn't chafe Neal's left ankle much, but Peter still put the device on Neal's right ankle. It also might help any fear Neal might have for having something back on his ankle.

After he put it on, Peter watched Neal for a reaction. He didn't really look upset, but seemed to know that Peter was watching him and he smiled reassuringly. Peter resisted sighing in relief. He was ok with the anklet being on. That's one less thing to worry about.

It would probably be a while before people walking through doors wouldn't scare him, but they'll get there in time. And they'll get through anything else that comes up, together.

"Ready to go then?" The doctor asked. Peter had actually forgot he was still in the room. Neal didn't though, which isn't surprising; he's always been observant, though he'll probably be even more so now.

"Yep, let's go," Neal said and slid off the bed with most of his usual grace while Peter stood and backed up. The doctor gave Neal the clipboard he was holding and although he was hindered greatly by his splint, he managed to sign it.

"Do I have some clothes?" Neal asked as he looked down at the hospital gown with some distain.

The clothes Neal was wearing before definitely weren't an option. He didn't have a shirt on when he came in and his pants were bloodstained. Fortunately, June brought some clothes for Neal when she visited.

Peter went over to a cabinet by the door leading to the bathroom and pulled out an overnight bag, then tossed it onto the bed. "June brought that by when she visited. You weren't awake, but she sends her love."

Neal opened up the bag and pulled out a polo shirt and Khakis. Not what he would usually wear out, but it was easier to put on than a three-piece suit. And it's not they were going to the office or something, just home.

He went into the bathroom and changed. When he came back out he looked a lot more like the Neal Caffery Peter knows and begrudgingly loves (But would never tell anyone.)

The slight limp in his walk, bandage peeking out from under his shirt sleeve, bruises on his face and the splints and bandages on his hands and wrists stopped the illusion of nothing being wrong, but he still looked a lot better than before. He looked... Alive, happy even.

It could have been a mask Neal put on while he was in the bathroom, but Peter thought it was at least mostly real.

"Do you want to go to your apartment or come and stay with me and El?" Peter asked as they walked through the hallways of the hospital. "It's your choice, but our house has less stairs and El promised to make whatever you want tonight."

"Your place sounds nice," Neal said with a grateful smile.

Right as they were walking through the door to outside, a large man with a snake tattoo on his arm passed them. Peter didn't think much of it and Neal wasn't paying attention as he just wanted to get to the car so they could go home. The two men made their way to the Taurus, unbeknownst to the danger that just passed them.

Well, the boy's are on better terms now, but will that get their happily-ever-after yet? Not with me writing! *Evil cackle!*

Reveiws make me smile! :-)